Shutter-closing mechanism for moving-picture machines.



H. M. CONNOR 61 0. D. MILES. SHUTTER CLOSING MECHANISM. FOR MOVING PICTURE MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20' I9I6.

1,227,886. Patented May 29, 1917,

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W how I H. M. CONNOR & D. D. MILES;

SHUTTER CLOSING MECHANISM FOR MOVING PICTURE MACHINES.

\ APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, I916.

Patented May 29, 1917.

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1,227,886. APPLICATION FILED Wm ml Patented May 29, 1917.

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' UNITED STATES PATENTQFFIOE.

HERSCHEL M. CONNOR AND DON D. MILES, or sen FRANc'ISC QQALIFoRNIA; ASSIGNORS, 7

BY DIRECT-AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 0F TWO-FIFTHS T0 ALBERT H. HERBERT, ONE-FIFTH TO PANSY I. CONNOR, ONE-FIFTH TO MYRTLE C. MILES, AND ONE-FIFTH TO R. J'. GRAF, ALL OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SHUTTER-CLOSING MECHANISM FOR MOVING-PICTURE MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1917.

' 1 Application filed May 20, 1916. Serial No. 98,881.

pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to shutter controlling apparatus especially adapted for'use on moving picture cameras, and has for one of its objects to provide a mechanism of this character which will be comparatively simple in construction and more efficient in action than those heretofore proposed.

With this and other objects in viewthe invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views Figure 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a shutter and its associated parts made in accordanoewith this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the ar- Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing other driving parts;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a member adapted to close the shutter openmg; I

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of an interrupter member;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of still another portion of the shutter proper;

Fig. 10 is an elevational View partly in section taken on the line 10-1 0 of Fig. 11

looking in thedirection of the arrows and showing adjustable stops for controlling the shutter aperture;

Fig. 11 is a sectional View of a portion of the casing illustrating the shutter and the adjustable stops shown in Fig.10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevational View illustrating the construction of the adjustable stops and their associated parts appearing in Figs. 10 to 14;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1313 of Fig.' 12 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one of the moving members for controlling the adjustable stops.

1 indicates any suitable means for applying power, in this case exemplified by a crank or lever, 2 a shaft to which the power is applied, 3 gears operated by said shaft 2 adapted to transmit-power to the pinion, l, rigid with the shaft 5 controlling the bevel gear G-meshing with the bevel pinion 7.

providedwith an aperture 21 and provided with a sleeve 8 over which fits the said pinion 7, so'that motion derived from the gear 20 represents the shutter plate proper 6 is transmitted to said pinion 7 and from the shutter 20, opposite to the pinion 7 is located the worm gear 9 which is rigidly attached to said shutter 20 as by means of screws 19 passing through the apertures 22 in the gear 9 and the apertures 23 in the said shutter 20, all as will be readily understood from Figs. 4, 5 and 9.

10 represents a worm adapted to mesh with the gear 9, and provided with a helical gear 11 adapted to mesh with the helical gear 12 mounted on the stud 13 carrying the star wheel 14-.

The gear 9 is provided with a projecting I boss 24, as is best shown in Figs. 3,4 and 5,

and slipping over said boss is the worm Efl housing member 25 provided with the shoulders 26 and 27. The worm is supported between the lugs 28 and 29 of said housing as illustrated.

From the construction so far disclosed it is apparent that as the pinion 7 is turned in the manner described, the sleeve 8 will turn, carrying with it the shutter plate 20, the gear 9, the worm 10, the housing 25, as well as the star wheel 14.

Also mounted on the boss 24 is the interrupter blade or member 30 having the circular member 31 fitting over said boss 24 as shown. Also mounted on said boss 24 is the shutter closing member 32having the circular portion 33, so that starting from the gear 9 the said boss 24 first accommodates the housing 25, the member 31 of the blade 30 and then the circular member 33 of the shutter closer 32, all as will be clear from Fig. 3. i

The said shutter plate 20 is provided with the rim 34 rigid therewith, and inside which is located the said members 30 and 32 all as will be clear from Fig. 3 of the drawings.

. It will also now be clear from what has been disclosed that as the said shutter plate 20 turns, the said members 30 and 32 will also turntherewith.

Rigid with the shutter closingmember 32 is the boss like member 35 provided with shoulders 36 and 37. r The shoulder 36 is adapted to rest against the shoulder 26 carried by the housing 25 and the shoulder 37 is adapted to rest against'the shoulder 27 carried by the said housing 25. It therefore results that should the housing 25 be rotated around the bom 24 in the manner to be disclosed below, then the said shutter closing member 32 will be moved relatively to the shutter plate 20 and will serve to open or close the aperture 21 all as will presently appear. p

Carried by the said boss member 35 of theshutter closer 32 is a locking means 40, in this instance, shown as a ball adapted to take into the hole 41 or into thehole 42 of the member 31 according to the particular position in which the interrupter blade 30 finds itself for a purpose'which will also presently be explained.

' 45 represents one wall of the casing inclosing mechanism, and passing through said casing is a plurality of thumb controlled pins 46, in this instanceshown as three in number, see Fig. '12, and the inner ends of which carry the sliding blocks 47 4 having the beveled surfaces 48 and 49 as shown. These said pins 46 slide in slots such as 50 passing through thecasing 45. Inside the casing, opposite-the pins 46, is a housing block 51, provided-with a plurality of spring controlled star wheel actuating pins 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57,*arranged in pairs such'as 52and 57, 53 and 56 and 54 and 55, respectively, for a purpose which will now appear.

As will be clear from Fig. 13 each of the said spring controlled pins are provided with curved heads against which the beveled surfaces such as 49 and 48 of the sliding blocks 47 take, so as to project the ends of said pins beyond the surface of the block 51. Further, since the pins are arranged in pairs as just stated, when a given thumb controlled member 46 is in its upper position as illustrated in Fig. 13, it will force beyond the said surface 60, a pin such as 53, for example. On the other hand, when the same thumb controlled pin 46 is moved to the opposite end of its slot 50 its beveled surface such as 48 will force the end of the corresponding pin 56 of the pair beyond the surface 60, whereupon the spring associated with the pin 53' will cause its extreme end to be withdrawn back from the said surface 60.

The location of the said pins 52 to 57 is such that the upper three pins 52, 53 and 54 will contact with the upwardly projecting prongs of the star wheel 14, while the lower pins lettered 57, 56 and 55 will contact with the downwardly projectin members of said star wheel, when the sai pins are respec tively actuated by their corresponding thumb controlled members 46.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, a little consideration will show that, should the star wheel 14 be turned on its axis 13 in say a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, its helical gear 12, meshing with the helical gear 11 will turn its associated worm 10. And although the parts just mentioned may be rapidly revolving with the shutter plate20, yet the turning of the worm 10 will cause the said worm to travel around the said revolvin worm wheel 9 in what we may suppose to e a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2. This said motion of the worm 10 relative to the revolving shutter plate 20 will, assuming it to be ina clockwise direction, cause the shoulder 27 of'the housing 25 to exert a pressure upon the shoulder 37 of the boss 35 on the plate 32 and to thereupon move said plate 32 in a. clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 relatively to said plate 20.

Of course if the star wheel is moved on its axis in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2, then the above motions will all be reversed and the said plate 32 will be moved in a direction relative to the plate 20 opposite to the-direction just mentioned.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 10 to 14, and assumin said shutter late mechanism to be revolvln in such :1 imtion that the center of t e star wheel 14 will be .bodily moving toward the left, or in a counter-clockwise direction around the .circle '62, as seen in .Fig.- its upper prong 61 would contact against the controlling pin 52 provided said pin had been projectedbeyond the surface 60 of the block 51, and therefore this said star wheel14 would be turned on its axis in, a 'clockwise direction as seen insaid Fig. 10 and a corresponding I motion would result in plate 32 relative to the plate 20.

On the other hand it must be remembered as just stated that the center of said star wheel is moving in the circle indicated by the line 62, Fig. 10, and that as its center continues to move in a counter-clockwise direction in said circle, its projecting member 63 will come into the path of the controlling pin 56, and-if said pin has been projected beyond the surface 60 of said block 51 through the movement of the proper'thumb controlled member 46 to the lower end of its slot 50, then said. member 63 will be turned in a counterclockwise direction on the axis of the star wheel, so that the star wheel itself will receive a counter-clockwise motion on its axis and the said plate 32 will receive a correspondingly opposite motion relative to the said plate 20.

From what hasnowbeen disclosed it will be apparent that by the simple expedient of moving the thumb members 46 to the upper end of their. slots 50 the star wheel 14 and 'madeto contact with'the star wheel 14, the

said star wheel will only be turned 90 for each revolution of the shutter plate around its axis 15, while if two pins such as 52 and 53 are projected beyond the surface 60 of the block 51, then the star wheel will be turned twice 90 for each revolution of the shutter plate, because there will be two members such as 61 and 63 of the star wheel that will contact with pins such as 52 and In the same way should three controlling pins such as 52, 53 and 54'be projected beyond the surface 60 of the block 51, then the said star wheel will be turned three times 90 or 270 for each revolution of the shutter plate around its axis 15. It is therefore obvious that while the shutter is still rapidly revolving its aperture can be slowly opened or closed or it can be more rapidly opened or closed according to the particular thumb members .46 that are manipulated.

Itof course will be. understood that the ma nipulation of the lower controlling pins such as 55, 56 and 57 will cause the opposite motion of the shutter closing plate 32 from that caused bythe manipulation of the other, set of pins 52, 53 and 54.

During the above described relative movements of the plate 32, the interrupter blade 30 will travel as an integral member of the shutter closing plate 32 and it will therefore act as if'it were an integral part of said plate.

It often happens however that it is desirable to divide the opening 21 of the shutter plate 20 into two equal parts. Or, in other words, it often happens that it is desirable to make a blade such as 30 occupy a mid position between the limits 66 and 67 of the opening 21. Such occasion arises for example when one is taking a moving picture of a very rapidly moving object, in order to avoid the blur which inevitably occurs when the speed of the traveling object is greater than the speed of the shutter, On the other hand if in such cases the interrupter blade 30 is caused to occupy a mid position as-is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 between the limits 66 and 67 of the opening 21', such blurring is avoided. Therefore it is an important feature of this invention that I have provided the holes 41 and 42 in such blade 30 so that it may be bodily moved by hand from its full line position shown in Fig. 1

ing plate 32 by hand or otherwise so as to coincide with such a division aswill give the desired shutter opening 21. That is to say, suppose that the maximum opening is had amounting to 160 and one controlling pin such for example as 52 is actuated to strike the star wheel 14. The mechanism is so proportioned that in making a dissolving view for example twelve feet of film will be used up before the opening 21 is entirely closed. On the other hand, suppose now that the shutter closing plate 32 is set relatively to the shutter plate 20 in such a position that its edge coincides with the division 11.4. If in such a case a single controlling pin such as 52 is actuated to turn the star wheel, in making a dissolving view eleven feet and four inches of film will be used up before the opening 21 is entirely closed. In the same way assuming that a single controlling pin is in the path of the star wheel successive positions of the shutter plate 32 will be had by making it coincide with the other divisions and ten feet, eight inches of film, or nine feet and four inches of film etc. will be successively used up in making a dissolv ing view before the opening 21 is closed.

Of course if two controlling pins such as 52 and 53 are actuated only half of the above lengths of film will be used up, while if three pins are pushed into the path of the star wheel, then only one-third of the above lengths of film will be used up in making.

first exposure and after the said film is thus moved back he can superpose on the undeveloped filmwvith great exactness his second exposures so that the dissolving view will come out clear and distinct.

Of course in thus reversing the machine the operator should take care in placing his controlling pin or pins 46 in their neutral positions so that as the shutter is reversed in its motion the star wheel 14 will not be actuated.

The above shutter mechanism is especially adapted for a form of camera I have devised which is useful for amateur, as well as professional work, and which is of small size and is very compact in form. Said camera can be used not only for taking movngpictures, but it can also be used for pro ecting the same. When employed in taking pictures, the film is exposed through the aperture 75 and when projecting pictures the projection is had through the same aperture. The mechanism of said camera, as well as the above disclosed shutter mechanism is so arranged by means, not illustrated, that it may be readily moved in and out of the case, and all of the parts are thus made readily accessible for cleaning, repairs and for other purposes such as threading the film through the mechanism, etc. 1

The operation of the mechanism'will be readily understood from the foregoing, but may be briefly summarized as follows:

Upoii turning the crank or other source of power 1 the shutter isreadily revolved, and the film not shown, is fed down past the aperture 75 through which it is exposed. The pictures are therefore taken in the usual and well known manner. Should it be desired to open or close the shutter aperture for any purpose whatever the operator merely manipulates one'or more of the controlling thumb pins 46, and the said shutter aperture will be correspondingly opened or closed .as desired. Should the operator 'desire to take a moving object 'which is traveling faster than is the shutter the interrupter blade 30 is moved by hand from its full line position shown in Fig. 1 to its dotted line position whereupon two apertures are had instead of one and blurring is thus prevented.

Further, the shutter plate 20 is provided with a scale enabling one to so set the shutter closing plate 32 as to u'seup different predetermined lengths of film for dissolving views, and these said lengths may be readily divided into halves or thirds without disarranging the mechanism by the simple manipulation of the controlling pins 46.

It will further be observed that the inlar width'of the shutter plate 32 and blade.

30 is utilized when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, to close the shutter opening 21. On the other hand when the shutter blade 30 is in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, although any movement of the shutter closing plate 32 will cause a corresponding movement in the shutter blade 30, yet ordinarily one would not care to cause a movement of both the blade 30 and the plate 32 when the said blade 30 is in its said dotted line position.

76 represents the usual camera .lens and its associated parts carried by the-outer wall 45 ofthe casing 7 7.

It is obvious that those skilled in -'the art may vary' tfifgietails of construction, as well as the arrangement oLparts, Without departing from the spirit fo'f'the invention and therefore we do not. wgh'to' be limited to the above disclosure except; as may be required by the claims.

What we claim-isz' 1. In a. shutter controlling. device for moving picture machines, the combination of a power shaft; an' apertured shutter. plate; connections between said shaft and plate for revolving the latter; a shutter closing plate revolvingwith said first named plate; and means for moving said closing plate-relative to said first named plate through a predetermined angle at each revolution of said apertured plate, substantially as described.

2. In a shutter closing device for making dissolving views the combination of an apertured shutter plate; a-shutter closing member associated with said plate; means for revolving said plate and member; and automatic means for moving said closing member relative to said plate a predetermined distance for each revolution of said plate, substantially as described.

In a shutter closing device for making dissolving views the combination of 'an ap-, ertured shutter plate; a shutter closing member associated with said plate; means for revolving said plate and member; automatic means comprising a movable member under the control .of the operator; and gear connections governed by said movable member for moving said closing member relative to said plate a predetermined distance for each revolution of said plate, substantially as described.

4. In a camera shutter the combination of a member provided with an aperture; means for rotating said member; a plate carried by said member adapted to move across said aperture; gear controlled connections between said member and said plate; and automatic means for causingsaid connections to move said plate a predetermined angular distance across said aperture at each revolution of said member, substantially as described.

5. In a camera shutter the combination of a member provided with an aperture; means for rotating said member; a plate carried by said member adapted to move across said aperture; gear controlled connections between said member and said plate; automat1c means for causing sa1d connect1ons to move sa1d plate a predetermined angular distance across said aperture at each revoaperture controlling plate associated with said blade, substantially as described.

7. In a camera shutter the combination of a plate provided with an aperture; means for revolving said plate; a member revolving with said plate and adapted to move across said aperture; a blade controlled by said apertured plate and thereupon causing said closing plate to move a predetermined angular distance relative to said apertured plate, substantially as described.

9. In a camera shutter the combination of an apertured plate a closing plate carried by said apertured plate; means: for revolving said plates; gear connections comprising a worm and a housing therefor between said plates; anda movable spring controlled member under the control of the operator for contacting with said gear connections at each revolution of said apertured plate and thereupon causing said closing plate to move a predetermined angular distance relative to said apertured plate, substantially as described.

10. In a camera shutter the combination of an apertured plate; a closing plate carried by said apertured plate; means for continuously rotating said. plates; gear connections revolving with saidplates comprising a worm, a worm wheel, a helical gear carried by said worm, and a star wheel associated with said helical gear adapted to move said closing plate across said aperture while said plates are rotating; and a Slid'. able pin adapted to be pushed into the path of said revolving star wheel while said plates are rotating and to thereupon cause said star wheel to rotate on its axis and turn said gear and closing plate a predetermined angular distance at each rotation of said plates substantially "as described.

Intestimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HERSOHEL M. CONNOR. DON 1). MILES.

Witnesses:

GERALD A. GRIFFIN, C. F.WELLS. 

